Sneak Peek #6: How to See in a Black Hole

The new issue hits stands Tuesday, and the cover story features the 50 Most Interesting Places in the Space-Time Continuum. We cover everything from Warren Buffet's Desk to Inside a Tornado to the Supreme Court's Doomsday Shelter, and even a short bit on how to see in a black hole:

We've got some bad news: If you ever have the rotten luck to be sucked inside a black hole, you won't be able to see what's going on—unless, of course, you have three eyes. Let us explain. Black holes are collapsed stars with such intense gravitational fields that not even light can escape them. In fact, the gravitational pull is so great that it bends light, distorting space and time, and our binocular vision simply can't process that. But scientists think that if you had three eyes instead of two, the extra eye could give you just enough added perspective to correctly perceive distance within a black hole.

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But that just scratches the surface. From stories on why the U.S. banned sliced bread, to public artworks that went terribly wrong, to the 50 most interesting places in the space-time continuum, the new issue is definitely worth reading. Look for it on newsstands, or better yet, pair a subscription with mental_floss T-shirt and save yourself some money. Click here for details.